Appeal of Course Grade
Students who would like to file an appeal against a decision regarding their academic standing in a particular course should discuss the matter with their instructor. If a satisfactory resolution is not attained, students may file an appeal with the Dean of Faculty by sending the Grade Appeal Form and corroborative documents to academic.affairs@digipen.edu. Students may appeal grades no later than two days after grade reports are issued. DigiPen reserves the right to destroy any examination papers after the appeal period. However, academic records will be kept indefinitely.
Appeal of Academic Suspension
Students must submit their academic withdrawal appeal within two business days from the time they receive their academic suspension email in their DigiPen email account.
Appeal for Refund of Tuition
Students who would like to file an appeal against a decision regarding their tuition refund shall file a written request to the Accounting Department. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Accounting Department, students may file a second appeal with the Chief Financial Officer.
Other Disputes
Students who feel that they have any other type of dispute with the Institute should first try to address the issue with the person or department they are having the issue with. If the student is unable to resolve the issue directly with the individual or department they are working with, then they may reach out to the Vice President of Student Engagement for student concerns or the Dean of Faculty for academic/faculty concerns.
If the student is still not satisfied with the decision, they may file an official complaint to the Chief Financial Officer (for finance-related issues) or the Chief Operating Officer (for all others). A copy of this complaint shall be given to those involved with the dispute. Once the decision of the Chief Operating Officer is determined, students may submit a final appeal by contacting the President of the Institute.
Filing a Complaint with an External Party
A student may file a complaint with an external party should they feel that the Institute has not adequately addressed a complaint or concern after they have followed the institute’s Process for Grievances and Appeals
Washington Student Achievement Council
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.
Student Complaint Procedure
Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission.
All complaints reviewed by the Commission must be in written form, and should grant permission for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response. This can be accomplished by filing the ACCSC Complaint Form. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission. Please direct all inquiries to:
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
2101 Wilson Boulevard.
Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: (703) 247-4212
www.accsc.org | complaints@accsc.org
A copy of the ACCSC Complaint Form is available at the Institute and may be obtained by contacting Mandy Wong, Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs via compliance@digipen.edu, and may be obtained by contacting complaints@accsc.org or www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/Complaints.aspx
If students are unsure of whom to speak to regarding a complaint, they may contact Mandy Wong at the following address:
Mandy Wong
Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
DigiPen Institute of Technology
9931 Willows Road NE
Redmond, WA 98052
Tel: (425) 558-0299
Email: compliance@digipen.edu